Pike (Kenosha Co.)
Petrifying Springs to Lathrop & CTH.A (up to 4.5 miles)
| Difficulty | I(II) |
| Length | 4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 9 fpm |
| Gauge | Pike River Near Racine, Wi |
| Flow Rate as of 2 hours | 24 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 19, 2026 |
River Description
Quick Facts:
Location: Petrifying Springs Park, midway between Racine and Kenosha.<br></br>Shuttle Length: 2.9 miles (or less)<br></br>Character: Swiftwater float trip, with LOTS of deadfall. A few areas of waves and shoals.<br></br><br></br>Put-in is approximately 631' elevation.<br></br>Take-out is approximately 589' elevation.<br></br>Thus total elevation change is approximately 42'.<br></br><br></br>General Overview
More of a swiftwater float trip than a true whitewater run. At moderate flows, you'll encounter swiftwater (very minor rapids) within Petrifying Springs County Park (affectionately known by locals as 'Pets'). A few tame playable waves may exist at some low-boatable flows. At higher flows, the riffles and rips will generally wash out, and (in the lower part of the run, beyond Pets) bridges and snags spanning the river will become hazardous obstacles.
Boaters wishing to avoid the hassle of deadfall and snags may wish to limit their boating completely within Petrifying Springs park for the riffles and swiftwater. Proceeding beyond the park (past the last bridge within the park, near the ball diamond, dog-walk area, and the artesian well, into the area flanked by the golf course and the UW-Parkside property) yields very few additional swifts or rapids. You will encounter numerous blind curves and ever-shifting river-wide strainers necessitating portaging. At any good boatable flow, it may be difficult to get ashore before being swept into some of these snags.
If you proceed beyond the road bridge at the east end of the park, it'll feel like you're spending more time out of your boat than in it! My last time there, just walking halfway to the next roadbridge, I counted at least eight impassabl
...River Features
Upper Access
It may be tempting to use 'Parking Area 6' to access the river at the most upstream point in the park. Whilte the river is very close at hand, the stream banks are generally steep here, making it very awkward to launch a canoe or recreational kayak. The listed put-in location has much more convenient launch area.
Put-in
The recommended put-in is relatively midway in the park, where a new bridge spans the river. You'll have to park a little more than 100 yards away and carry to the put-in. (It may be possible to temporarily park in a gravel drive near a restroom building right at the river, offload your boat(s), and then move the car to the parking lot.) Access is best on the downstream side of the bridge, where stonework steps lead to water's edge, and provide a handy launch.
East Park Bridge
This is a good place to take out if you just want to enjoy the swiftwater within the park, and avoid the snagfest downstream.
(On a recent walk along the river downstream of here, in the next 0.75 mile, I counted no fewer than eight shore-to-shore deadfalls which would have to be portaged at virtually any reasonable flow!)
So, as soon as you see the first road bridge in the park (right adjacent to the parking lot for the dog-walk area and for the artesian well), GET OUT!!!
Major deadfall and snags
By no means the only area of deadfall (there are plenty!), this spot has always been the worst. The river encounters an oxbow bend (right, then left, then right) and has cut through a high-water channel (making an island inside the oxbow). Major deadfall often accumulates at the first bend. As of January, 2013, that high-water channel is now the main flow, and the oxbow will have water only at high flows.
A LARGE tree/log rests across the flow just far enough downstream in the left channel that you are unlikely to notice it soon enough to avoid it. The right channel has held plenty of wood in the past, and probably continues to do so, since that side will seldom get flushing flows now.
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the power of the current, and do not overestimate your ability to get out of the current in time to avoid a disaster here!
Hwy.A Stone Weir
Under the highway bridge (CTH.A) it appears there has been some rock rearranging, building a little bit of a weir/dam. At some (intermediate) flows, this may create a very minor wave.
This location offers decent roadside parking, and (if you insist on trying to paddle the next stretch of this river) might make a better put-in. (This avoids the snagfest in the 1.3 miles from the east park bridge to this bridge. From here, you will still encounter many snags, but probably no worse than the mentioned 1.3 miles.)
KCC Low Bridges
As Kenosha Country Club is encountered, expect to find a number of low bridges and pipes spanning the river. At moderate-to-high boatable flows, some of these will present a challenge (particularly to those in canoes).
Stonework Riffles
As a newer bridge spanning the river comes into view, you'll encounter a bit of gradient. A small dam was removed at this site, and replaced with quarried rock, creating a series of riffles (for better fish habitat, and to maintain upstream pool height for the country club to pump water to irrigate). Expect some small waves through here, but (in general) nothing really playable.
Iron Wall Wave
As the river swings by the clubhouse, and the shores turn to vertical steel plate armament, cement rubble in the stream creates a small wave. This can offer some tame surfs at moderate flows (though I'd be real hesitant about doing anything that might have one upside-down or out of boat, due to the concrete rubble you'll likely encounter).
Recommended take-out
Parking is very good at this location, with a graveled area spanning the NE corner at the intersection of streets. Unfortunately, the river banks are VERY high and steep right at the nearest point to this parking. It may be easiest to get out at the first good spot after passing under the bike path (former railroad), but BEFORE passing under 13th Avenue. Otherwise, pass under 13th Avenue, go around the left-bend, and a good ways down along Hwy.A to find reasonable egress before or at the Hwy.A road bridge.
Yes, it is possible to proceed all the way to Lake Michigan, but there is nothing of whitewater interest in that entire stretch.
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